Emily is in a drama class. For the end of term they invite the parents in to watch a show, which they have been preparing all term.
‘I’m not sure I want you to come,’ she said to me in the car. ‘Really?’ I responded without really thinking about it. ‘You’ve probably got some stage fright. Nerves before a performance are totally normal.’
‘Uh-mm’ she responded.
She was amazing. I was so proud of her. She did the actions in the dance routines, she projected her voice, she looked out confidently at the crowd. I hadn’t fully grasped the scale of the rehearsals, having not been allowed into the drama hall due to covid – to see her as part of that was incredible.
I grabbed her afterwards and gave her a big hug. ‘You were amazing’ I started. ‘You should be so proud of yourself,’ I continued, remembering one of my parenting books (teach them to praise themselves). ‘And I am so so proud of you. You did the dance moves, the actions, you spoke loudly and clearly, I’m so proud of you – well done.’ I squeezed her tight but she kept trying to wriggle free.
‘Mum, this is why I didn’t want you to come. I knew I’d get the I’m proud talk, and I find it so annoying.’ ‘Oh,’ I said, ‘I’m sorry.’
‘You’re just embarrassing me, mum.’
Well I guess I really have arrived as a parent – I can now embarrass my daughters.
Triple Trouble Tribe 